King Pin Lock Use andInstallation to Prevent Trailer Theft

To prevent trailer movement,
either a king pin lock or gladhand lock is most often used by trucking
companies and professional drivers. The former is designed to prohibit
fifth wheel attachment to the trailer; the latter is designed to
prohibit release of the trailer brakes.

We
have photographed various models of king pin locks, including those in
use, and provide commentary.

This is a typical king pin on
the underside of a dry van. The narrower section is where a tractor's
fifth wheel and locking jaws attach. It is also the place where a king
pin lock grips.

One of the most common
reasons for using such a device such as the Road Pro steel version
shown here is to prevent trailer theft.

The issue of trailer theft is linked to but separate
from freight theft. Neither the king pin lock nor gladhand lock
prevents ambitious thieves from stealing the freight on the trailer. We
would gladly receive tips from drivers on how to prevent freight theft.

Mike says that installing
something like a king pin lock on a dropped trailer is better than
nothing.

Anything that will deter a thief or slow him down
is worth consideration.

A thief may try to pick the lock, use a torch (which
could set the king pin grease on fire) or cut the lock off. We have
never heard of a successful theft by any of these means. Still, it is
possible that king pin locks that use flat keys may be easier to pick
than those that use curved keys.

The only other options for moving a trailer with
such a
device installed are by wrecker or crane. Using either of these options
makes it obvious that the trailer is being moved "by force." And when
the tractor is not around, it's a dead giveaway that something is wrong.

In truck
stops
in the southeastern United States, the most common king pin lock
available is made of either steel or cast aluminum. We imagine that it
would be pretty hard to cut off a device so round and smooth because a
grip would be needed.

Usually, the locks come with two keys and a
warning tag
that hangs from an attached chain.

Installing the locks is as easy as placing it over
the
king pin and turning the key to slide the locking mechanism in place.

We found one other brand of lock, both versions of which
are shown
here. In this case, the steel version, at right, is described as
"Super-Duty."

We note that steel versions of both brands of locks are
generally more expensive than the cast aluminum versions.

The wording on the box shown
at right says, "This steel lock is designed to prevent theft of the
trailer by prohibiting a tractor's fifth wheel from attaching onto the
king pin."

Years ago when we teamed, we used one of these devices.
We don't recall
which brand we bought, although we recall that it was the steel
version. At the time, we did not think of using a plastic bag to
prevent the lock's contact with the platform grease on and above the
pin. We stored the lock in a plastic index card file box in order to
keep it from getting grease on anything else in the truck's side box.
Eventually, it became impossible to handle the device without getting
grease on our gloves or our hands. Perhaps using some Goop would have
helped.

It was a moot point when Mike
went to work for Schneider National because he was required (at his own
expense) to buy a sturdier king pin lock called "The Enforcer."

If it looks larger, thicker and more intimidating
than the others, that's because it is.

We have never seen The Enforcer for sale at a truck stop.

Besides the size of the lock,
another major difference between the smaller units and The Enforcer is
the shape of the locks and keys. The lock and key for the smaller units
are flat; the lock and key for The Enforcer are curved. The curved lock
and key make picking it very difficult.

The lock on the left has been
installed on a trailer without a plastic bag between it and the pin.
The lock on the right was what Mike put on his trailer, with a bag
between it and the pin.

We also note that these locks were put on 180 degrees
upside down from each other, as can be seen from both the handle and
the locking mechanism positions.

In the photo at left, Mike is
giving a "security tug" on The
Enforcer under his trailer, to make sure
that it is on firmly and won't come loose.

We strongly recommend the use of a good quality and
sturdy king pink lock as a means of deterring or thwarting trailer
theft.

Money saving tip:
When Mike bought The Enforcer years ago, he paid $50 for it out of
pocket. That's a lot to pay for a lock. However, that's a whole lot
cheaper than a stolen trailer, stolen freight, the loss of a job, and
the possibility of never being hired by another trucking company.

Think about it: If you dropped your trailer in an
unsecured location and did nothing to keep it from being stolen –- and
it was stolen –- more than likely, your company
has
grounds to terminate you.

In order to deter theft, one has to anticipate
what a thief would do. A thief wants something to steal quickly and
easily. It takes only about 30 seconds for a 2-person team to swipe an
unsecured trailer.

Don't allow yourself to be thoroughly embarrassed
and put to shame by having to call your company to admit that your
trailer and whatever load was on board has been stolen.

Installing a king pin lock takes only seconds, but
the lock and time you invest to install it are worth much more in terms
of peace of mind.